Scotch College

It's farewell to 109 years of Senior School service

Don Davenport

Michael Evans

In 1977 Don Davenport came to the Scotch Physical Education Department from the position of Head of Physical Education at the Knox Technical School. The following year he became Head of the Physical Education Department – a position he held until the end of 1990. He has taught Physical Education throughout his 28 years at Scotch and Health Education to Years 9 and 10 for five years. Don has coached Year 7 cricket since 1977 and was appointed coach of the First XVIII from 1979 to 1986 – succeeding in winning an APS Premiership in 1981. The following year he became teacher in charge (TIC) of Athletics and has held that position until the close of a very successful 2004 season. Don enjoyed a year-long teaching exchange with a college in Massachusetts in 1988. On his return from the United States Don joined Monash House as a tutor for two years before moving into McMeckan House and being appointed Senior Boarding Housemaster from 1991 to 1996. He maintains his participation in maintaining an excellent Physical Education program for so many boys to be the highlight of his years at Scotch. Don is looking forward to an enjoyable (and well-deserved) retirement that will no doubt contain many rounds of golf.

Lawrence Stokes came to Scotch in Term 3 1985 from Melbourne Grammar School. He has taught Mathematics and Science to Years 7 to 11 for his duration at Scotch, Physics, Chemistry and Biology to Year 10 for ten years and Design Technology to Years 7 and 8 for three years. As Head of Selby-Smith House since 1989, he is currently the longest serving Housemaster. He has had a long and very successful association with the Rowing Club as TIC during 1988 and '89 as well as a coach – working with crews from the Second to Thirteenth Vlll. A great outdoor enthusiast, he has provided expertise in kayaking, horse riding and cross-country skiing while working with the Outdoor Activities Program. He is looking forward to a relaxing retirement on his property in Gippsland.

A move from Head of Mathematics and Housemaster at St Michael's Grammar School at the end of 1997 saw Dr Michael Evans become Head of Mathematics at Scotch. He has taught every mathematics subject that Scotch offers, is the VCE Mathematics Convenor, has been a member of innumerable Victorian Mathematics examining bodies, consultative committees and review panels, and has been a leader of numerous International Mathematics Olympiad teams. He has been a Fleming House tutor, coached Year 7 and 8 cricket and the First Hockey XI from '93 to '94. Since 1995, Scotch hockey teams have enjoyed considerable success with Michael as TIC. His outstanding contribution to mathematical education in Australia was recognised in 1999 with the award of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Monash University. In June 2000 Michael was presented with the Professor B H Neuman Award for service to the Australian Mathematics Trust and Excellence in Mathematics Enrichment. His knowledge and expertise will not be lost to future generations of Australian students as 2005 sees him remain VCE Mathematics Convenor as he takes up an appointment as Schools Project Manager with the International Centre of Excellence for Education in Mathematics (ICE-EM) located in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Melbourne.

Andy Müller first appeared at Scotch in a part-time role in 1991–92. He became a permanent Chemistry, Mathematics and Science teacher in 1994 after being part of Melbourne’s bid for the 1996 Olympic Games. Andy has taught VCE Chemistry for ten years, General Science for six years, Years 7 and 8 Mathematics for five years and History, Drama and IT to Year 7 for three years. He accompanied the ’93 Nepal Expedition and led the ’99 and ’01 trips. This year he has led the fundraising for the ’05 Expedition. Andy was an Arthur Robinson House tutor for three years and was a Year 7 form teacher from 1994 until his appointment as Head of Years 7 and 8 in 2000. He has spent the last ten years working with the Outdoor Adventure Program. From 1991 to 2000 he had the onerous task of coaching the First VIII and in 1998 took his rowing crew to victory in the Head of the River. In winter, Open football has seen him work with the Third and Fourth XVIIIs and more recently as assistant with the 9As. Implementing the Year 7 and 8 team-teaching strategy, leading the Nepal Expeditions and coaching the First VIII rank as his Scotch highlights. 2005 sees Andy taking up the position of Head of Upper School at St Leonard's College.

Coming from being Head of Senior School at Salesian College, Paul Runting was appointed in 1996 as an English teacher at Scotch. He has taught English and English Literature in the ensuing nine years. He quickly stepped into leadership roles at Scotch, becoming Acting Head of Davidson House in 1997 and Leader of the St John Ambulance division for 1997–98. Paul was appointed Head of Year 7 in 1999 before becoming the inaugural Head of Middle School in 2000. Rowing occupied his first three summers at Scotch, while basketball, then football became his winter sport interests. The development of pastoral aspects of the Middle School, classroom teaching and a Nepal Expedition rank as his high points with Scotch. He leaves to become Deputy Principal, Caulfield Grammar – Head of Wheelers Hill campus.

Sue Ward was at Mentone Grammar School before being appointed a teacher-librarian at Scotch in 1996. She has worked in librarianship, information literacy and research skills and literary promotion across all year levels. Sue has acted as Head of Library for term-long periods on two occasions and has seen the library develop into a busy learning centre that has really connected with Scotch students. 2003 saw Sue take a year's leave to accompany her husband on his work in England. Outside the library, she has coached Year 8 tennis and hockey teams, worked in Social Service with students at Hedley Sutton and in front-of-house roles with Scotch dramatic productions. Sue is commencing her retirement from full-time teaching with travel in 2005.

After four years at the Kings School in Bruton, UK, Ian Lundie joined the Scotch staff in 2001 as a Design and Technology teacher and resident house tutor in McMeckan House. He has been house tutor to the current 11 Field group and worked with Sea Scouts on workshop and personal projects. For the past four summers he has been head swimming coach, and in the corresponding winters has been TIC of rugby and coached the First team to an incredible four successive premierships. He leaves Scotch to take up an appointment as Head of Design and Technology at King's College, Taunton, UK.

Claire Quail left Thomas Carr College to join the Language Department at Scotch in 2002. She taught Years 8 to 11 Indonesian and one term of Year 7 French and was house tutor for her time at Scotch to the current Year 11 Gilray group. As well as being a Year 7 tennis and Year 10 hockey coach, Claire was also a Scout leader. She enjoyed seeing her tutor group growth both personally and academically, and since leaving Scotch has a four-month old son occupying the 24 hours of each day.

Coming from a career in art, media and multimedia, Mary Grande was appointed as an Art teacher in 2002. She has taught Art to Years 7 to 12 for three years, Multimedia to Year 10 for two years and this year added Information Technology to her academic offerings. In 2003 Mary was awarded an Information Computing Technology Scholarship. For the past two years Mary has been a Lawson House tutor and been one of the staff associated with Sports First Aid and Scouts. She has coached Year 7 tennis, Open hockey and been TIC of Year 9 rowing for the last two years.

Dr Jensen Hjorth came to Scotch at the commencement of 2003 and has taught General Science to Years 7 to 10, Year 10 Chemistry and Biology and Year 11 Biology. The development of the Biology Genetics and Biotechnology curriculum has been one of his major contributions while at Scotch. He was tutor of Year 11 Gilray for Semester 2 in 2003 and been Year 8F's form teacher this year. Jensen has thoroughly enjoyed coaching Year 8 and 10 cricket and Year 8 soccer and Year 7 football as well as being involved with the Year 8 hike program. He has been appointed as a Biology and Science teacher to the permanent staff at the Corio campus of the Geelong Grammar School.

STOP PRESS

Dan Casey has been appointed Head of Languages at St Patrick’s College in Ballarat. Dan had taught at Scotch since 2001.